NuvaRing

"Nov. 20, 2012 -- Oral contraceptives should be made available without a prescription to reduce unintended pregnancies, according to a newly published opinion by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

NuvaRing

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious
cardiovascular events from combination hormonal contraceptive (CHC) use. This
risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with
the number of cigarettes smoked. For this reason, CHCs, including NuvaRing,
should not be used by women who are over 35 years of age and smoke. [See CONTRAINDICATIONS]

DRUG DESCRIPTION

NuvaRing (etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring) is
a non-biodegradable, flexible, transparent, colorless to almost colorless,
combination contraceptive vaginal ring containing two active components, a progestin,
etonogestrel
(13-ethyl-17-hydroxy-11-methylene-18,19-dinor-17α-pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one)
and an estrogen, ethinyl estradiol
(19-nor-17α-pregna-1,3,5(10)-trien-20-yne-3,17-diol). When placed in the vagina,
each ring releases on average 0.120 mg/day of etonogestrel and 0.015 mg/day of
ethinyl estradiol over a three-week period of use. NuvaRing is made of ethylene
vinylacetate copolymers (28% and 9% vinylacetate) and magnesium stearate and
contains 11.7 mg etonogestrel and 2.7 mg ethinyl estradiol. NuvaRing is not
made with natural rubber latex. NuvaRing has an outer diameter of 54 mm and a
cross-sectional diameter of 4 mm. The molecular weights for etonogestrel and
ethinyl estradiol are 324.46 and 296.40, respectively. The structural formulas
are as follows:

What are the possible side effects of this medication (NuvaRing)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

What are the precautions when taking etonogestrel, ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring (NuvaRing)?

See also Warning section.

Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to ethinyl estradiol or etonogestrel; or to other estrogens or progestins; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.